A man who allegedly started a fire inside the Hammond Walmart on Christmas Eve is now in custody.
Terrence Michael Coe, 43, is facing attempted second-degree murder, aggravated arson, armed robbery, and terrorism charges in connection with the incident. The State Fire Marshal's Office says it was able to find Coe and arrest him on Tuesday after surveillance photos published online over the weekend were shared via traditional and social media.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Coe started the fire around 6 p.m. Saturday in the paint aisle of the discount store. Store managers evacuated at least 500 people out of the store after the fire was detected. Employees and customers who noticed the fire used extinguishers to put out the fire, which was contained to the aisle on which it was started.
Investigators say Coe admitted to setting the fire in an attempt to distract store workers from his attempt to shoplift.
